Adaptation of skill-based games for training and enjoyment

Abstract

An electronic game wherein the user accumulates score which is based upon the appropriateness of the user's moves, regardless of whether the move resulted in a win or lose situation for the user. This approach provides the user with enjoyment of playing the game, but also focuses the user to learn how to make proper moves that would ultimately result in better skills in playing the game. One specific example relates to poker, wherein the user collects chips based upon winning or losing a hand, but at each decision round of playing the hand the user is awarded ProCoins based upon the appropriateness of the user's actions. The user is provided with feedback based upon the user's decisions, rather than based upon winning or losing a hand.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 502,749, filed Jun. 29, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]This application relates to the field of electronic games and, more specifically, to the adaptation of games that are based on players' decisions in a manner that provides enjoyment and training.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Various games are designed to progress, or are scored, based on player's analytical decisions, rather than player's motor skills. Examples of such games include poker and other card games, casino games, backgammon, chess and other strategy games. Such games may have a component of chance, but player's decisions may dictate the long-term outcome. Also, the player's decision may depend not only on the game pieces and status, but also on knowledge of the character, e.g., extrovert, risk averse, etc., of the opponents in the game....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Aspects of the disclosed invention provide a teaching mechanism that helps the player learn and hone their skills in the game. The user is able to learn and advance at the user's chosen time and pace, and can stop at any time due to interruptions or otherwise. Embodiments can be implemented on smartphones, laptop, game consoles, dedicated devices, etc.

[0016]According to yet other disclosed aspects, the game progresses with the user winning or losing chips, as in prior art games, but in addition the user collects points according to moves the user decided to take. The collected points are separate and independent from the chips. For example, in one play the user may make a good move, but nevertheless lose the hand, perhaps due to bad luck. Under such situation, the user will lose chips, but will be rewarded with points, so as to encourage and enhance proper decision making Conversely, on another hand the user may make an inappropriate move, but nevertheless win the round due to chance. Under such condition, the user would win chips, but would not be rewarded with points, so as to discourage such wrong decisions. The goal of the game; however, is to collect points not chips. That is, the player is ranked according to the collected points, not according to the winning of chips. In this manner, the teaching of proper plays is enhanced separately from the win / lose status of the game.

[0020]The authoring module further enables the author to pre-program a character trait for the user corresponding to the manner in which the virtual opponents view the user. According to one embodiment, the game module maintains: initial scoring, corresponding to scoring achieved by the user upon playing a hand pack for the first time; current scoring, corresponding to scoring achieved by the user by currently playing the hand pack; and best scoring, corresponding to the best scoring achieved by the user by playing the hand pack. The game module presents the user with privileges based upon the scoring. The privileges may include providing the user with new hand pack, wherein a hand pack comprises a plurality of different pre-programmed hands. The pre-program may further comprise storing selections of cards dealt to each of the virtualized opponents and the user, and at pre-flop, flop, turn and river stages. The limited number of alternative actions may be selected by the author from a larger list of available actions. The game module may progress the game according to the best of the alternative actions, or according to any action determined by the author, regardless of the user's selections from the alternative actions.

Problems solved by technology

For example, in one play the user may make a good move, but nevertheless lose the hand, perhaps due to bad luck.

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